Discover Your Why in Europe with Y Travel and Belmond

Experience Europe, one of the most historically rich and culturally diverse continents on earth, with Y Travel – purveyors of richly intuitive travel experiences, custom-built according to a unique set of ‘Y Factors’ – and Belmond – an iconic brand with the ultimate collection of hotels, trains and river cruisers, dedicated to delighting every guest. 

With international travel finally on the horizon, deciding on just a few select summer destinations can be a challenge in itself. Nature enthusiasts rave about Europe’s magnificent outdoor scenery, culture buffs revel in grand cultural history, with magnificent museums, opulent palaces and dazzling artistic legacies. And, bon vivants indulge in Europe’s culinary delights of fine dining, world-class wines, grandiose cafés and traditional bars.

Are you a yogi, foodie, art-lover or perhaps looking to get your adrenaline pumping and your heart racing? One thing is certain, travel is a highly personal experience: everyone wants to see, taste, experience and feel different things. That’s why Y Travel, Australia’s premier luxury, purpose-led travel agency has teamed up with Belmond, the pioneer in luxury travel and experts on authentic escapes, to help you experience this glorious continent through carefully curated experiences according to your unique purpose and passion.

The forward-thinking team at Y Travel carefully curate every journey, weaving what inspires and interests you into niche categories they call ‘Y Factors’ to create exceptionally bespoke travel experiences. Whether you’re into adventure, artistry, culture & community, generosity, nature & sustainability, taste, well-being or the unexpected, the eight Y factors connect you with the trip of a lifetime, every time.

Evoke all your senses in some of Europe’s most inspiring and enriching destinations, with these bespoke experiences:

Castello di Casole in Tuscany, Italy

Castello di Casole, a Belmond Hotel in Tuscany, is a 10th-century castle on one of the largest private estates in Italy. Surrounded by rolling hills and sprawling vineyards, it offers a rural escape with contemporary luxury. Guests are invited to slow down and reconnect with nature within 4,200 lush acres. Rooms and suites boast exposed brickwork and open fireplaces.

Focus on your health and well-being during your holiday by starting your day with a one-hour yoga class. All levels are welcome. Workouts will be adapted to suit individual needs.

Continue your day and experience the unexpected by enjoying a magical standing Aperitivo or fairy-tale Afternoon Tea in a unique setting: a secluded glade, where a beautifully decorated table floats beneath ancient trees. The afternoon tea is served with a delicious selection of sweet and savoury bites, while the Aperitivo includes an inviting selection of finger food. Complement your Aperitivo with a sumptuous dinner on the Visconti terrace as the sun sets behind the rolling hills. Executive Chef Daniele Sera has designed a dazzling menu for the occasion.

Further, treat your taste buds by joining a professional truffle hunter and his trained Lagotto Romagnolo dog and seek out the precious tubers through the countryside. Afterwards, you can feast on a delicious fixed menu based on your finds with the option of pairing the dish with great wine.

For more information and bookings, visit https://www.ytravel.world/lets-belmond-together

La Residencia in Mallorca, Spain

La Residencia, a Belmond Hotel in Mallorca, is an art-filled oasis in Mallorca. It is perched between the UNESCO World Heritage Tramuntana Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea in the charming artists’ village of Deià. Individual rooms and suites are arrayed across several honey-coloured buildings. Art classes, donkey treks and a celebrated spa are among the tranquil pleasures on offer.

Art lovers are invited to explore local artistry and their creativity by joining a painting class with the acclaimed artist-in-residence, Alan Hydes, whose works appear in public and private collections worldwide. The British painter’s extensive portfolio embraces landscapes, botanical studies, nudes and underwater figures. Visit his studio near El Olivo Restaurant to admire his works and even commission your own likeness from him.

For those preferring to work with their hands, sculpting classes are also available. Juan Waelder, the resident sculptor and director of the hotel’s sculpture garden, has played a key role in the Mallorcan art scene since the 1970s. Take part in a class at his studio near the Sa Tafona art gallery.

Or why not create a personal masterpiece from the Balearic Islands? Take a morning walk from La Residencia to Cala Deià for a painting masterclass by the sea and learn how to capture the magical light of this enchanting Mediterranean island.

For hotel guests who prefer to explore the local nature by foot, Deià’s unspoiled and beautiful location lends itself well to early morning walks. Set off on a magical dawn walk from the hotel to experience the ‘First Light’. In partnership with Leica Sport Optics, private walks are guided either by celebrated photographer Sebastià Torrens or nature expert Eduardo. There is also an option to enjoy a self-guided stroll following the hotel’s map.

For travellers interested in discovering the local culture & community, the ‘Secrets of Palma’ tour uncovers the city of Palma’s hidden gems with expert guide Gina Vasquez. Visit the workshop of Spain’s most famous guitar maker or a pop-art ceramicist, peek inside a 10th-century Moorish bathhouse or scale the famous cathedral terraces. When it’s time for a rest, enjoy refreshment at a rustic wine bar where locals still order vermouth from large wooden barrels. Gina will happily tailor tours to your specific interests – such as fashion, books, art or food – or take you to other parts of the island where Mallorcan artisans are keeping crafts alive.

For more information and bookings, visit https://www.ytravel.world/lets-belmond-together

Reid’s Palace in Madeira, Portugal

Reid’s Palace, a Belmond Hotel in Madeira, is a legendary retreat in Madeira. On a promontory overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, nestled in lush subtropical gardens, it offers sensational, innovative dining and timeless charm. Light-filled rooms and suites afford captivating views. Elegant afternoon tea and live music events are part of the timeless allure.

Make the most of your time on the Portuguese paradise island by joining the ‘Sunrise above the Clouds’ and expect the unexpected. Step aboard a 4×4 jeep and let the driver take you to Pico do Arieiro, 1818m above sea level, where nature’s most breathtaking spectacle awaits: the sunrise. Above the clouds, watch rapt as shades of vermilion, gold and purple appear, revealing the stunning mountainscape in all its glory as the sun comes up. After this magical experience, travel back down the mountain where, now it’s daylight, you’ll notice the landscape clad in verdant vegetation, dewy moss and beautiful flowers. Stop in a picturesque setting, surrounded by birdsong, to enjoy a lavish breakfast served by a private butler. Take your glass of champagne and raise a toast to life.

Travellers looking to get the adrenaline pumping can join a thrilling family adventure to the Desertas Islands, three rocky slivers located southeast of Madeira. Sometimes referred to as the Galapagos of Europe, they are home to a colony of monk seals, real-life chums of our hotel mascot, Zarco. On this excursion, you’ll sail through the Atlantic Ocean on a beautiful Princess V50 yacht, enjoying champagne and luscious fruit served by a private butler. On reaching the islands, take a dip in the crystalline water before enjoying lunch on board. Then alight to explore Deserta Grande with an expert guide. If you’re in luck, you’ll see the monk seals – though they can be elusive. After a fascinating hour, set sail homewards, perhaps spotting dolphins or pilot whales along the way.

For more information and bookings, visit https://www.ytravel.world/lets-belmond-together

Grand Hotel Timeo in Sicily, Italy

Grand Hotel Timeo, a Belmond Hotel in Sicily, is a storied Sicilian hideaway in the heart of Taormina. Adjacent to the Greek Theatre, its views span majestic Mount Etna and Naxos Bay. Since the mid-1800s, this exclusive, verdant enclave away from the crowds has proved irresistible to discerning visitors, from celebrated writers such as DH Lawrence to Hollywood icons.

Sicily, just off the toe of Italy’s boot, has Greek and Roman heritage, seemingly eternal sunshine, fantastic food and a warm sea. Discover the island’s artistry/culture & community by joining the Taormina and Greek Theatre Walking Tour. Stroll down narrow backstreets, past flower-filled balconies to soak up the ambience. Then tour the magnificent Greek Theatre, adjacent to Grand Hotel Timeo. Built in the 3rd century to stage drama and musical productions, the amphitheatre was expanded by the Romans to be used for games and gladiatorial battles. It’s so well preserved that it’s still used today as a breathtaking venue for concerts, ballets, opera performances and awards ceremonies.

Any visit to Sicily is incomplete without exploring Europe’s most impressive volcano. Discover its constantly evolving lava landscapes on an adventure-filled exceptional trek. Begin by heading to a mountain station and walk up to the two inactive Silvestri craters (an altitude of nearly 2000m), which date from the 1892 eruption. Discover some of the most recent lava flows, skirt around the rims of craters, dodge steam vents, and be wowed by the lunar-like scenery. Admire the blacks, reds and greens of the mountains and, when the clouds clear, gain spectacular views across the island.

For more information and bookings, visit https://www.ytravel.world/lets-belmond-together

Travel You Can Feel Good About

With a strong emphasis on sustainability, Y Travel creates big experiences that leave a small footprint. Together with Belmond, well-known for being deeply respectful of its communities and their surroundings and with the brand’s “Think Global, Act Local” approach, ensures you, as a traveller, can enjoy each bespoke journey whilst leaving a minimal impact on the environment.